Four SLFPers signing no-faith motion REFLECTS party’s mood - Anura Yapa

Disaster Management Minister Anura PriyadarshanaYapa, who is a senior member of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), speaks about political developments in the wake of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

We have no National Policy to combat bribery and corruption right now

The Dailymirror discussed bribery and corruption, its prevention and prosecution of suspects with the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Sarath Jayamanne PC.

‘It is important to constitutionalise ESC rights’ -Virginia Brás Gomes

Virginia Brás Gomes is the Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which is a body comprising 18 independent experts that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by its States parties.

Sri Lanka has to decide whether its security is sufficient

The Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano visited Sri Lanka on March 14 after concluding a two day visit to Pakistan. 

There should be a controlling mechanism on social media not a ban - IT expert

Information Technology Expert Dr. (Eng.) Lalith Liyanage speaks to  Daily mirror about the importance of having a controlling mechanism on the social media sites. Dr. Liyanage is the Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Logistics and Technologies Ltd. which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Defence. He shared the following: 

Omp is for reconciliation not to satisfy anyone else

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) is one of the main transitional justice mechanisms, the others being a truth commission, an office on reparations and a judicial mechanism to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights. The OMP intends to promote justice and bring closure to those 

New election system confusing: Douglas

In an interview with Dailymirror, Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader and MP Douglas Devananda spoke about the latest political trends in the North, confusions created by the new election law and his expectations. Excerpts: 

Intelligence services a must for national security

Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the Kandy incidents and the restrictions on social media and the challenges that lie ahead. 

Recent violence manipulated to destabilize country - Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera

Eminent Buddhist monk Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the current status of the country in the aftermath of violence in Kandy. The prelate said all the communities should be united to build the country. The excerpts of the interview:   

‘Peace and unity should be in everyone’s heart’

Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, the maverick of Sinhala cinema and theatre, has attempted to portray the reality of the state in every production. From Hansa Vilak to Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma and stage plays such as Eka Adipathi, Dhawala Beeshana and Makarakshaya have addressed issues from the 1980s 

Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress in mine action

The Special Envoy on Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention Prince Mired RaadZeid Al-Hussein, spoke to the Daily Mirror about the progress made by Sri Lanka in mine...

Sri Lanka’s geostrategic location important to Japan

A leading Japanese academic Prof. Narushige Michishita, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, spoke about the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka. Prof. Michishita....

“Society has been regressing in its Attitude Towards Women”

Prof. Savitri Goonesekere is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Colombo. She was its first female Vice Chancellor and first female Professor of Law. Goonasekere is an internationally acclaimed academic and her range of expertise includes women’s rights. In an engaging interview 

EC has nothing to do with criterion for woman representation in LG bodies - Mahinda Deshapriya

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the current electoral system and its consequences in the aftermath of the elections to the local authorities. Excerpts of the interview:   

Prez Sirisena should talk with Basil or Gota and reach an agreement -Dr. Nalin de Silva

Dr. Nalin de Silva during an interview with the  spoke about the current political situation in the country. Dr. de Silva has been a leading proponent of the Sinhala nationalist movement since the 1980s and been a critique of Western science and culture. Dr. de Silva has been noted for his strong push for the military defeat of the LTTE through his regular articles to the Sinhala and English newspapers through the 1990s till the ultimate end

National Unity Govt should forge ahead

Land Minister Gayantha Karunatilake, in an interview with Daily mirror , speaks about the current political situation and the future of his party.  The excerpts:

‘We need parliamentary election without delay’

Nationalist Movement activist Gevindu Cumaratunga, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, analysed the....

Sri Lanka Relations in Perspective History alive in both countries

Dr. Mohsen Eslami is Assistant Professor of the Department of International Relations, at the Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran. Recently he was invited for a round-table conference which was held by Pathfinder Foundation, in association with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and in collaboration with the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations,

Youth is energy untapped

Dr. Mallika Kumar is Associate Professor for Economics at the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) of the University of Delhi. She is the Head of the Commerce Department and the Coordinator for the Office of International Programmes at SRCC &the Cultural Coordinator for the University of Delhi. 

Sri Lanka ready for IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo: Bolling

Julian Bolling, Head Coach and Director, Rainbow Swimming Academy needs little introduction as in the years gone by he put Sri Lanka on the map when representing the country in swimming. Bolling is also the Director, Pro Am Serendib, the company behind IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo, which will hit the streets of the city by the sea on Sunday (25). 

“People wish not only Govt. but also President will step down”

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who spearheads the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), speaks to Daily mirror  about the way forward following the conclusion of local government polls and the present impasse of the government.  

LAGGARDS of SOUTH ASIA

Asoka Obeyesekere, a Barrister and political scientist, is the Executive Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, which is the National Chapter of Transparency International (TI), the leading global movement against corruption.

‘‘An unstable Maldives will lead to an unstable Indian Ocean’’ President Yameen has to go - Nasheed

President Nasheed, to start off with, in December 2011 there was a political crisis in which the former Chief Justice was arrested under your leadership. How do you see today’s crisis in the light of the then turmoil

We’ve extended our fullest cooperation during investigations

This special interview with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe centres around the forthcoming Local Government Elections and the current political situation in the country. 

‘We’re a strong party supporting the Tamil population’

The Local Government Elections are four days away and all candidates are gearing up for the big event. Contesting for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Karuppiah Ramakrishnan representing the Kirula Ward has a 

‘Youngsters believe in education rather than in violence’

Many new faces have taken up the challenge to make a change in the upcoming Local Government polls. Representing the late Major Montague Jayawickreme and late minister Ranjan Wijeratne generation is Rehan Wijeratne Jayawickreme who will be contesting under 

President, Premier will govern Sri Lanka till 2020

Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, in an interview with  Daily mirror , responded to remarks made by President Maithripala Sirisena on the status of the economy. He said that the two leaders would continue to govern the country till 2020 or even beyond.   

Fighting each other isn’t going to provide the answer

United People’s Freedom Alliance’s Mayoral candidate for the Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Kesaralal Gunasekara in an interview with Daily mirror  spoke about the progress of his campaign and presented his analysis on the upcoming elections.   

‘We’ll be able to make a change this time’

The Local Government polls are a few days away and contestants are in the process of winning the hearts of people. Contesting for the Colombo Municipal Council from the Cinnamon Gardens Ward is Roshnie De Saram under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) 

‘We aren’t eager to split the Unity Govt.’ - Mano Ganesan

Minister of National Co-existence Dialogue and Official Languages Mano Ganesan in an interview with the Dailymirror spoke about the importance of the Local Government Elections and the future of the country.